Doron medicum, or, A supplement to the new London dispensatory in III books : containing a supplement I. to the materia medica, II. to the internal compound medicaments, III. to the external compound medicaments : compleated with the art of compounding medicines ... / by William Salmon ...

CHAP. X. Of SALTS.

1. SAL seu Saccarum Sa∣turni ex Lithargyro, Salt of Lead from Litharge.

℞ spirit of Vinegar, q. v. put it into a glaz'd Earthen pan, over a fire of Coals and dry wood, till it begins to sim∣per: then put to it Litharge of Gold or Silver in fine pou∣der, q. s. stir it continually with a stick: when its boiled a little, take off the Pan, and let the Vinegar settle a while, and while warm decant it: after put more Vinegar upon the Litharge, boyl and de∣cant, as before, so ding till all the Litharge is dissolved: these dissolutions filterate while warm over a glass Cu∣curbit in a sand heat (up to the neck in Sand) and evaporate the humidity, till the remainder becomes red as blood, and is covered with a Pellicule or little skin: then put it out into little white di∣shes, where let it cool: so will a great part of the Liquor shoot into Crystals, like needles, white and sweet as Sugar. Powr off from the Liquid part, viz. a red Oyl, and a Sugar of Saturn uncrystalli∣zed: taking also out the Cry∣stals, which keep in a glass Vial well stopt, lest other wise they should fall into a Calx.

§ 1. Here is to be noted, that some make use of Ce∣ruse instead of Litharge, but experience shews that Li∣tharge is better, for that ha∣ving passed the sire of the Copel, it is a more spongy open body, and therefore more penetrable by the Spi∣rit of Vinegar, and so will yield a greater quantity of Salt: but next after Litharge you may use Ceruse, then Minium, which is Ceruse made red in a Reverberato∣ry fire. § 2. If by chance in evaporating the Dissoluti∣ons you go beyond the Pelli∣cule,

so as the matter begins to look thick and glutinous, you will then have no Cry∣stals; and therefore you may evaporate it, and make the Salt without Crystalization. § 3. Of the red glutinous Oyl of Saturn, you may make a Magistery of Saturn, by putting to it an equal quantity of the Spirit of Sul∣phur; so will the dissolution of Saturn turn into white Curds, which by little and little, will precipitate to the bottom in white pouder, which sweeten by but once washing in fair water, be∣cause it is apt to dissolve in the water. § 4. That you ought to take glased earthen pan, not a stone or glass one, because these latter would break; and for the Lead of the other, there is no dan∣ger of its being coroded by the Vinegar, because it is so hard burnt to the Earth; but should it corode it, the mat∣ter is not great, for the gla∣sing of those earthen things is made of Lead. § 5. That the Vinegar ought to boyl before the Litharge goes in, that it might the more sud∣denly fill its body with the Saturn, letting it boyl af∣ter but a very little time, which will be enough to im∣pregnate the Vinegar with the Salt of the Lead. § 6. That if you would have your Salt extream white, you must dis∣solve it in equal quantities of Spirit of Vinegar and common water; then filte∣rate and Cristalize as afore∣said; which work you may repeat 3 or 4 times as afore∣said. § 7. That the ebuliti∣on which is raised is caused from the forcible entrance of the Acids, whereby they violently separate the parts of the matter: in this esser∣vescency (as in others of like kind) there is not the least degreee of heat to be percei∣ved, but rather cold is en∣creased, and the Vinegar lo∣sing its acidity, acquires a kind of sweetness. § 8. We here use Spirit of Vinegar for a dissolvant, a stronger is not necessary, because Lead is a soft Metal: but simple Vinegar, by reason of its Fiegm is both unfit and too weak. § 9. By reiterated additions of fresh Spirit, all

the Litharge will be dissol∣ved, but you must repeat till the whole dissolution is com∣pleated. § 10. This Salt of Lead is not a true simple Salt, but a Dissolution of the substance of Lead by Acids, which do very closely Unite with it, to make a kind of Salt: this is proved by distil∣lation, for if you draw off the humidity, you will have only an insipid water. § 11. You must stir it only with a wooden Instrument, for Iron (as well as its Vitriol) would blacken it, and so spoil the beauty of the Salt. § 12. In making the Magistery at § 3. above, the precipitation is with Spirit of Sulphur, be∣cause it makes a whiter and sweeter precipitate, than any other Acid, not only in this, but in all other Magisteries. The Spirit of Vitriol is said to blacken: Spirit of Salt would be apt to fix with the Magistery; Spirit of Niter is too sharp: Oyl of Tartar has an unpleasant tast of U∣rine. § 13. This Saccharum may be revived again into Lead, by mixing it with an alcalious Salt, melted in a Crucible over a good sire; because this Salt destroys the Acids that thus metamor∣phosed the Lead: but it will be inflamed before it re∣vives, by reason of the Spi∣rit of Wine, which was lockt or shut up in the Vinegar. § 14. The Vertues. It is good against the Chollick, Plague, violent Feavers, heat and pain in the Reins, Blad∣der and Secrets, and all in∣ward Inflamations, being given in Wine, Sherry Sack, Aqua Mirabilis, or Cinna∣mon-water. It quenches Lust, abates Venereal desires, cures old cancerous, corro∣sive and malign Ulcers, as Cancers, Woolf, Noli me Tangere, Ring-worms, Tet∣tars, sore Throats and Mouths, Burns, Scalds, red Pimples, &c. It is good a∣gainst the Bloody-flux, stops the overflowing of the Terms, and Haemorrhoids, which are usually caused by a flux of sharp Salts to those Vessels and Bowels. But it is said particularly that it is a great specifick in Quinseys, being inwardly taken, foras∣much as that Disease is

thought by some to proceed from a Salt or acid serosity, falling too abundantly on the Muscles of the Larynx, there∣by raising a fermentation, which dilates the Fibres, and causes an Inflamation, so that what is able to dull the edge of those Acids, is thought good against that Disease. § 15. The Dose is from gr. iiij. to viij. in a∣ny of the Vehicles afore∣said.

2. Sal seu Crystali Mar∣tis Sulphurati, Salt of Iron with Oyl of Sulphur.

℞ Filings of Steel or opening Crocus, drop on it Oyl of Sul∣phur, melt and add hot wa∣ter, filter and abstract a little, then set it to Crystallize, pu∣rify the Crystals by solution and coagulation. Or thus, ℞ opening Crocus lb vj. le∣vigated: put it into boyling water lbxxiiij. by spoonfuls, stirring it continually for two hours, with an Iron Spatula, till the water be half boyled away; then, while warm, fil∣terate through brown Paper, after evaporate to the Peli∣cule, then set it in a cool place to Crystallize; in two days you will have many green transparent Crystalls stick∣ing to the sides and bottom: then boyl again and Crystal∣lize, doing so till all the Cry∣stals are gathered, which keep in a glass close stopt: the pouder of Mars remaining in the filter will serve to make the astringent Crocus.

§ 1. Now here is to be noted, that the salt of Mars cannot be gotten, unless the body be first well opened, with Brimstone and a Re∣verberatory fire, by which the opening Crocus is made, for the Salt and Spirit of Sulphur calcines and opens the Metal. § 2. That al∣though the boyling water has force enough to extract the Salt out of the Crocus Mar∣tis aperitivus, yet it will be more easily done, to add to every pound of water ℥ss, or ℥j, of the Oyl of Sulphur. § 3. That this Salt or Cry∣stals will be of a transparent green color, because Mars is generated in a Vitriolick Earth, or an Earth contain∣ing nothing but pure Vitriol. § 4. That these Crystals are

nothing but the Salt of Mars, extracted out of the opening Crocus and Crystallized. § 5. Some make these Cry∣stalls thus. ℞ S.V. rectified, Oyl of Vitriol, A. ℥xxx. put into it thin Iron Plates, or filings of Iron ℥iiij. or ℥vj. set it some time in the Sun, then in the shade without stir∣ring it, so will the Liquor be incorporated with the Mars, and make a Salt that you must dry, and keep in a Vial close stopt. § 6. This Salt is a great opener and true restorer of the Liver and Spleen, being an admirable Remedy for all Diseases pro∣ceeding from Obstruction: it Cures the Cachexy, Drop∣sy, and green-sickness. Its vertue is greater than that of the opening Crocus, be∣cause that it is sharpned by the acids of the Vitriol, and therefore is to be given in a less Dose. It provokes the Terms, and is excellent a∣gainst the yellow Jaundice, and all Leprous breakings out in the Skin. Dose à gr. iiij. ad xij. But if you make it with water alone, without the Acid Oyls, you may give from ℈j. ad ʒj. in Broth or Syrup; and in case of the Stoppage of the Terms and Green-sickness, it may be given with ʒj. of the Extract of Savin. After the same manner are made Crystals of the Calx of Jupiter.

3. Sal, seu Crystalli Ar∣gentei, Salt or Crystals of Sil∣ver.

℞ Cupellated Silver, viz. without Alloy ℥ij. best Spirit of Niter ℥vj. dissolve, and put the Dissolution into a glass Cucurbit, over a gentle Sand heat: evaporate about a quarter of the humidity: and let the rest cool without stirring of it; so will it shoot into Crystals, which separate from the Liquor, dry them, and keep them in a glass close stopt. The remaining liquor evaporate again, and set it to Crystallize as before: these evaporations and Crystalliza∣tions so often repeat, till all the Silver is turned into Cry∣stalls.

§ 1. Here you are to note, not only in this, but in all Crystallizations, that you leave not too much moi∣sture,

for fear of too much weakning the Salts, thereby hindring the Crystallizing: Nor must you leave too lit∣tle moisture, for then the Crystalls (not finding room enough) cannot shoot or ex∣tend themselves, but will fall confusedly one upon another. § 2. You must be sure to put your silver into a Matrass large enough, then pour on your Spirit of Niter. Aqua fortis, it is true, will serve well enough, but Spirit of Niter acts with more celeri∣ty: the Matrass you must place in Ashes, or a Sand heat to hasten the Dissolution. § 3. When the Spirits begin to gnaw the Silver, an ebuli∣tion presently rises, with an esservescency, and a conside∣rable heat; which heat is caused by the violence of the motion, and impetuous segre∣gation of the parts, being ra∣tified: this esservescency or vapor, you must carefully avoid, as a thing very un∣wholsom and hurtful to the Brest and Lungs, as also to the Brain; it will remain till the Silver is all dissolved; after which the Liquor will become transparent and clean. § 4. What evaporates in order to Cryallization is little better than insiped w∣ter, for the acid spirit or salt remains fixt with the Silver, whereby these Cry∣stals weigh more than the Silver of which they are made. § 5. These Crystalls will dissolve in water like Salt, because they are incor∣porated with the Salt or Spi∣rit of the Niter, and by rea∣son of these spirits it is, that the Crystalls gnaw and cor∣rupt the flesh (as a Caustick) to which they are applyed, thereby making an Escar: it is they likewise which make you purge, being gi∣ven inwardly, because by their pricking they stir up a fermentation of Humors. § 6. You may reduce them into Silver again, if you put them into warm water, and lay therein a plate of Copper, for thereby the Silver will precipitate to the bottom, in a white pouder, which being washed and dryed, and then melted in a Crucible, with a little Salt Peter, you may cast it into an Ingot of the

same weight as before. § 7. The Vertues. They are wonderful strengthners of the Brain, comfort the Ani∣mal Spirits, cure the Epilep∣sy, Apoplexy, Vertigo, Me∣grim, old Head-achs, Suffo∣cation and other Disea∣ses of the Womb. It is also given inwardly, as a power∣ful remedy against Dropsies, purging gently à gr. ij. ad vj. in some specifick water: outwardly it is used to make Eschars, by touching or ap∣plying it to the part.

4. Sal Fraxini, Salt of the wood of Ash.

It is made according to the common Rule, for fixed or Elementary Salts.

It opens all Obstructions, healeth Wounds, cleanseth the Reins and whole Body of Salt and sharp humors, cures the Jaundice, Dropsy, Itch and Scab: some say, it cures poyson, malign Fea∣vers, and all sorts of Epide∣mical and Pestilential Disea∣ses; as also the Rickets in Children, and the Green-sickness in Virgins. Dose ad ℈j. or more in Rhenish Wine, or Canary.

5. Sal Acetosae Essentiale, The Essential Salt of Sorrel.

℞ Juyce of Sorrel at such time as it runs up to seed, pu∣rify it; and then put it into a glass Cucurbit, and in a sand heat, distil off from it two thirds of the humidity: the remainder strain through a linnen bag, to separate it from the Faeces: then put∣ting the clear juyce into a clean glass Cucurbit, distil a∣gain in B. M. till the Juyce be of the thickness of a Rob, setting it in a cool Cellar to Crystallize, which in a few days will be don, the Crystals sticking to the bottom and sides of the Cucurbit. The Liquor that Swims above the Salt, put into another Cu∣curbit, which evaporate as aforesaid in B.M. and again set it in a Cellar to Crystal∣lize. Lastly take these Salts, and dissolve them in the aforesaid distilled water (to make them the more pure) and then Crystalize anew, as we have taught in our Pharm. Lond. lib. 6. Cap. 15. Sect. 6.

This Salt contains the Es∣sential part of the Sorrel; cuts, attenuates, and opens Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen and Bowels; helps

digestion and causes a good Appetite. It abates the heat of Feavers, and resists putrefaction of the humors. Dose à ℈j. ad ʒj. in any convenient Vehicle.

6. Sal Tartari Composi∣tum, Soluble Cream of Tar∣tar.

℞ Cream of Tartar, dis∣solve it in a sufficient quanti∣ty of warm water, then drop in Oyl of Tartar per deli∣quium, till the ebulition cea∣ses; after which evaporate the humidity to dryness.

It gently loosens the Bel∣ly, abates the heat of Fea∣vers, strengthens the sto∣mach, and opens Obstructi∣ons: give it morning, noon, and night: ab ℈ss ad ʒss.

7. Sal Tartari Emeti∣cum Mynsichti, Emetick Salt of Tartar.

℞ Cremor Tartari, Cro∣cus Metallorum (made with Salt of Wormwood, and not freed from the Salt) A. ℥ij. pouder them finely, and di∣gest in a Vial close stopt) with Mother of Time Water lbij. for three or four days, in a gentle sand-heat, often sha∣king of it: then encreasing the fire, unstop it, and let it boyl gently: filterate and evaporate, till a thin skin covers it; after which set it in a cold place to Crystal∣lize.

Mynsicht declares this to be the best of all Emeticks, operating with a great deal of safety and gentleness: It cures all old pains of the Head, Frenzy, Madness, Carus, Lethargy, Vertigo, Epilepsy, Apoplexia, Me∣lancholy, weakness of Me∣mory, Witchcraft, noise of the Ears, difficulty of Hear∣ing, Vomiting, Wind in the Stomach, pains of the sides, the Pleurisy, yellow Jaun∣dice, Dropsy, putrid and acute Feavers, continual and intermitting Quartans; It is also profitable against the Dysentery, and the contagi∣ous venom of the Pest; the Phthisick, Asthma, Catarrh, spitting of Blood, invete∣rate Obstructions of the Me∣sentery, Liver and Spleen; as also Scirrhous Tumors in any part of the body:

Dose à gr. ij. ad vj. in Broth, Wine, &c.

8. Sal Chalybiatum; Steeled Salt.

℞ Salt of Vitriol (extract∣ed from its Caput Mort.) ℥iij. Sal Prunellae ℥ij. Vi∣triol of Mars ℥j. pouder each finely, and mix them; put all into a glass Gourd in a sand heat, with a gradual fire, augmenting it till the matter looks red, flows like water, and at last turns to a red hard Stone.

It is prevalent against Cachexies, Scurvies, Cor∣ruption and Putrefaction of the Blood, Catarrhs, Drop∣sies, Obstructions of the Liver, Spleen, and Stomach: it carries off ill humors by Stool, Urine, Sweat, and insensible transpiration. Dose à gr. viij. ad ℈j. in Broth or other proper Vehicle.

9. Sal Diureticum, Salt provoking Urine.

℞ Ʋrine of a sound Man, put into it as much Hunga∣rian Vitriol in pouder, as the Ʋrine will dissolve: make the Dissolution in a large Vessel, that there may be room for ebulition; which ceasing, put the Liquor into a glass Cucurbit, covered with its head: draw off the Flegm and Spirit in a Sand heat, first mith a slow fire, then en∣creasing it by degrees, the Volatile Salt will at last sub∣lime.

This Salt powerfully ex∣pells ferous humors, by U∣rine: opens all manner of Obstructions, is good against the Dropsy and Jaundice, and carries off by Urine all manner of malign and scor∣butick Humors: Dose à ℈j. ad ʒj. in Rhenish Wine, some Diuretick water, or in ordi∣nary drink. This Salt is a Composition of the Volatile Salt of Urine, mixed with the acid Particles of the Vi∣triol. The Flegm outward∣ly applyed gives ease in the Gout.

10. Sal Armoniacum Sublimatum; Salt Armoni∣ack sublimed.

℞ the Scoria made with Antimony, Tartar and Ni∣ter (when you make Regulus of Antimony, per se,) make

a Lixivium of it, which filte∣rate and boyl to the consisten∣cy of Honey; and by degrees of heat bring it to a fixed Salt; which Salt grind well with fine Sal Armoniack (which has been first dissolved in Di∣stilled water, filterated and coagulated) being well ground together, put them to sublime, first, there will come over a little Spirit; then will the Sal Armoniack sublime in flowers; this you must do seven times, every time with fresh Fixt Salt of the Sco∣ria.

This sublimed Sal Armo∣niack is a powerful specifick in the Gout, so that sew things can equal it: let it be dissolved in Wine, dip a Lin∣nen cloth in it, and put it up∣on the affected place, which moisten with a Spunge so of∣ten as it drys, for 12 hours or more: it generally cures at once or twice using: inwardly you may also give it in Wine or Ale, à gr. iiij. ad x. letting the sick sweat upon it. It opens all Obstructions, provokes U∣rine and the Terms, perfect∣ly removes Crudities from the stomach, and very hap∣pily cures Quartans, and all other putrid Feavers, Gan∣greens, Mortifications, &c.

11. Sal, seu Vitriolum Martij Riverij, Riverius his Salt of Iron.

℞ Oyl of Vitriol, or of Sulphur lbss. S.V. lbj. mix them in a new Iron pot that is clean, and cover it well: within 15 days there will be a Salt-like gathering, which set in the Sun, and dry it throughly, stirring it some∣times with an Iron Spatula: In winter dry it upon a gentle fire, or in Sand, or a warm Oven. Being dry, keep the Salt in a close Glass, for being exposed to the Air, it turns moist.

It is a most admirable thing against the most con∣tumacious obstructions of the Liver and Spleen, or of any other part of the body: It is said to be a perfect cure. for Hypocondriack Melan∣choly, for which Riverius commends it above all other Medicines. Dose à gr. xij. ad ℈j. it may be given in Wine, or other Liquor, Or

Syrup, or Conserve, or made into Pills with Mucilage of Gum Tragacanth. It is to be used long, viz. for a month or two, which you cannot do without great pro∣fit. It is also a Specifick in the cure of the Scurvy and of the Green-sickness.

12. Sal Succini Volatile, Volatile Salt of Amber.

The Salt of Amber, which is very volatile and piercing, is attained after a various manner, and by va∣rious Operations. I. By the Distillation of the Oyl, as we have taught in our Pharmacop. Lib. 4. Cap. 3. Sect. 39. where part of the Volatile Salt sticks to the Neck of the Retort, in form of little Crystals, which are to begathered, and being pu∣risted by solution, filteration, and coagulation are to be kept for use. II. By evaporati∣on of the spirituous part or li∣quor, and setting it to Cry∣stalize, which is done by put∣ting that spirituous saline li∣quor, first silterated, (men∣tioned in Our Pharm. Lib. 3. Cap. 12. Sect. 51.) into a glass Cucurbit; placed in a sand-heat, over a small fire, and evaporating about three quarters of the super∣fluous humidity, and then set∣ting it to Crystalize in some cold place: this evaporation and crystalization you must continue, till the whole Salt, contained in the Liquor is shot into Crystals, which ga∣ther together, and keep for use. III. By separation from the Oyl, thus: Take the Oyl, put it into a great Matrass or blind Head, upon which put its equal or somewhat greater quantity of distilled Rain Water, cover and lute the Vessel: digest in a mode∣rate ash or sand heat (stirring it every bour) when you see the water well impregnated, remove the fire, separate the water from the Oyl, and fil∣terate the water, which is full of the volatile Salt of Am∣ber, as you may perceive by its acid and biting tast; then evaporate three parts of the water, and set it to Crystalize as the former; in the space of two days the volatile Salt will be Crystalized into a red brown substance, which sepa∣rate

from the Water, and dry between two papers, in a mo∣derate heat: in this manner evaporate and Crystalize the remaining part of the Water, till all the Salt is drawn forth, which put together and keep for use. If you would have it white, put it into a small Cu∣curbit, covered with a blind Still-head, and sublime it in sand, with a good degree of heat, so will it arise white and pure, leaving all its impuri∣ty in the bottom of the Vis∣sel.

This Salt is the essential part of the Amber, of ex∣ceeding great vertues, and in∣deed much transcends either the Spirit or Oyl, for that it is the real Soul thereof. Its pow∣erful against a Leucophleg∣matia, and the first beginnings of Dropsies, where it is won∣derful; for that it powerful∣ly discharges the Spleen, and other parts of the lower Bel∣ly, by Urine and transpira∣tion; besides which, it is good for all that simple Amber is good for, having all those vertues mentioned in our Pharmacop. lib. 3. cap. 12. sect. 49. and acting with four times the strength that sim∣ple prepared Amber can act withal. It is good against all Distempers of the Head and Brain, comforts the Nerves and Womb, opens Obstructi∣ons, and is prevalent against Scirrhus and other Tumors of the Liver, Spleen, and Mesentery. Dose à gr.iiij. ad ℈j. in Wine, Broth, or other proper Vehicle. It is powerful in Vertigo's, Le∣thargies, Apoplexies, Epilep∣sies, Convulsions, and Parsies, but chiefly for Diseases of the Womb. It kills Worms, and is a preservative in Pe∣stilential times. There are few Medicines which equal this, for the Diseases it is de∣signed for.

13. Sal sen Vitriolum Vo∣latile Cupri; The Volatile Vitriol of Copper.

℞ Green Verdigrise of Montpellier (made with the Recrements or pressings of Grapes) lbvj. grind it into a subtil pouder; put it into a glass Cucurbit, and put upon it good distilled Vinegar, six inches high; stir it often with a wooden spatula, the Cu∣curbit

being placed in sand, and the Menstruum being tinged, with a very deep green, decant it clean from the fae∣ces, and put on again fresh Vinegar distilled, which di∣gest and stir as before, and when sufficiently tinged, de∣cant again. This Work Re∣iterate four times, till the Menstruum will be but little tinged: at last boyl the Fae∣ces and last ••ffused Spirit of Vinegar, that it may dissolve, and extract what is possible to be gotten from the Verdi∣grise: thus continue with new spirit of Vinegar till the whole Verdigrise is dissolved, ex∣cept a few dirty faeces (having no Metalick property in them) which will not be a∣bove ℥j. in every pound. Put all these Tinctures together, filterate them through paper; evaporate them in a very gen∣tle heat of B.M in an carthen or rather stone Pan, or in Balneo vaporoso, till a pelli∣cule or thin skin begins to ap∣pear, after which put in a cold place for 24 hours, so will you find fair blew Cry∣ctals or Vitriol stick to the sides and bottom of the Ves∣sel, which dry between two papers, in a very gentle heat; for the heat of the Sun is e∣nough to deprive this Vitriol (so Volatile it is) of its best and subtilest Spirit. Take the remaining Liquor, evaporate again gently, as aforesaid, af∣ter which set it again to Cry∣stalize; which work repeat till all the Salt is drawn forth. All being dry, you will find that you have as much Vitri∣ol, or rather more than you had of Verdigrise in weight, for that all the saline, acid and tartarous substance of the Vi∣negar is joyned to the Vitriol, causing its Crystalization.

Now here is to be noted, § 1. That if these Crystals be not very fair, blew and tran∣sparent, you may dissolve them in fresh spirit of Vine∣gar, so much as may just be fit to dissolve them cold; let the dissolution stand; that the saeculent Atoms (if any be) may settle: the clear Tin∣cture softly decant, but when you come near to the bot∣tom, let that be filterated through paper, by it self; the Tincture by it self: which then mix together, and

Crystalize, as aforesaid. § 2. That in all these filtra∣tions from first to last, if any considerable matter remains in the fitter, you are to dis∣solve it in fresh spirit of Vi∣negar, and so cause it to go through, till all the metallick substance is passed. § 3. That after all is done, you are so often to dissolve this blew Vitriol, to filterate, eva∣porate and crystalize, till the Vinegar (by a distillation in B.M. or in Ashes at most) come forth as strong as it went in (for in the first dis∣solution it will come forth as insipid in tast as water:) so have you a noble Vitriol of great perfection, and highly volatile. § 4. That this vo∣latile Vitriol is the very same that the mighty Spirit of Ve∣nus is to be made of (as we have taught cap. 2. sect. 19. of this Book:) after that it has been digested three seve∣ral times with the best recti∣fied S. V. three fingers high above it, in a double or di∣gesting Vessel, for the space of 24 hours, the said S.V. be∣ing drawn off every time, whereby the body of the Vi∣triol might be more and more opened, and prepared for the said Operation § 5 That of this also are you to make the sympathetical pouder of Digby, mentioned in Our Pharm. lib. 3. cap. 11. sect. 77.

14. Sal Infernalis, The Caustick Salt.

℞ Quick-lime lbj. put it into a stone Pan; put upon it by spoonfulls, about four ounces of cold water, that so it may gently and as much as may be without smoak slack∣ed, thereby to retain its vola∣tile Salt, which would all sly away, were it at first flak it, with a large quantity of wa∣ter; moreover the volatile Salt is more Caustick than the fixed. The Lame being well slaked, and thick as Past, put upon it at once as much wa∣ter as will make it like thin Pap; and then put to it im∣mediately good gravelled A∣shes (or Tartar calcined to whiteness) lbij. which let be red hot before hand, for an hour, in a reverberatory Fur∣nace, in a Crucible: this put in by spoonfulls, as hot as you

you can: Then put upon all this matter, water lbviij. to dissolve the Salts: let it stand 12 hours, so have you a Lix∣ivium, which separate by in∣clination from the Faeces into a Copper Basin, which by rea∣son of its Verdigrise, will ac∣cuate it the more, and cause a blewish color. Put the Ba∣sin over a gentle fire, and evaporate the Lixivium, till it be dry, and becomes a grey Salt, which will be in a lump; but you may take it out by pieces, and keep it in a glass well stopt.

§ 1. Here you are to note, that Clavellated or gravel∣led Ashes, are nothing else but the Calx of Lees of Wine, and old pieces of Ca••ks made of Oak; and therefore Tar∣tar calcined may do the work as well. § 2. That in this Operation no Vessels of glaz••d Earth are to be u∣sed, because the Salts would be apt to corrode the Lead, and thereby dull their own activity, which ought to be preserved. § 3. That if you would have your Salt well shaped; then when the Lixi∣vium is dryed to a grey Salt,) ou must melt the said Salt, and then with an Iron Spatula, red hot (for other∣wise the Salts would present∣ly congeal and stick to it) take up as much as you please, and let it fall by drops upon a cold Marble, which when cold take up with a Knise, and keep them in a glass close stopt. §. 4. That Lime has a two-fold Salt, the one fixt, the other Volatile; the first dissolves in the wa∣ter which slacks the Lime, the other vanishes in smoak: but if you slack it by little and little, putting on only some spoonfulls at a time, there being but a little smoak, the volatile Salts are but weakned, and so do dis∣solve in the water, and are here necessary, because it is the Volatile Salt that makes the fixed Salt both of Lime and Ashes to be susable, and also the more Caustick. § 5. That this Cautery is nothing else but a Salt, composed of the fixt and volatile Salts of the Quick-lime and Clavellated Ashes, elixiviated in common Water, coagulated by a mo∣derate

heat, then melted and coagulated upon a cold Mar∣ble. § 6. The name shews the nature, that it is Caustick in a high degree, and produ∣ces its effect of Cauterizing in a short time, and yet with much gentleness: it will al∣ways be dry, if kept close stopt, but if it be too dry it cannot dissolve upon the skin: therefore while you fit all things for its applicati∣on, let it lye in a spoonful of water.

15. Sal volatile, seu flores Benzoini, Flowers of Benja∣min.

℞ pure Benjamin q.v. make it into pouder, put it in∣to a Crucible, so as it may be but half full: put the Cruci∣ble into a round Iron, that has sprigs or branches on each side, which place upon a second row of Bricks, of a Circulatory Furnace, so that your Crucible be suspended in the middle of the Furnace, and the fire may strike imme∣diately upon it, fit to the top of the furnace a great earth∣en Cone (glazed or unglazed) as broad at bottom as the Fuanace, but its top angu∣lar, where let be left a little hole to give the fire air: lute this Cone to the Furnace, make a mean fire under the Crucible, so will the Benja∣min immediately rise, to∣tally in dry fumes, and stick to the sides of the Cone, white as snow, having the smell of Ben∣jamin, but more subtil and penetrating. At half an hours end, take off the Cone, and with a feather gather all the flowers; which keep in a glass close stopt. In the bot∣tom of the Crucible will be nothing but black oily Faeces.

§ 1. The whole substance of these Flowers are a Vola∣tile and Balsamick Salt, and therefore are given to ripen old Coughs, open the Lungs, and expectorate the Flegm: they have indeed all the vir∣tues of Benjamin exalted. § 2. The brim of the Basis of the Cone is applyed to the brim of the Furnace, not the brim of the Crucible, least the heat there should be so strong as to make the subli∣med Salt or Flowers melt. § 3. The Cone we use is of Earth (not of Paper, as most

others use) because it not only gathers a greater quan∣tity of Flowers, but will all∣ways serve after. § 4. These Flowers of Benjamin, are only the Gum melted in a Crucible, then elevated in dry vapors to a snowy white∣ness: This whiteness is from the Volatile Salt, which pre∣dominates and invests the Flowers of that color, which is the natural appearance of all volatile Salts. The red color of the Gum consists in a little gross heavy Sulphur, which cannot be raised but by the violence of Fire, in the distillation of its Oyl.

16. Sal Putaminum O••∣strearum, Salt of Oyster∣shells.

℞ the oriental part of the upper part of the Oystershells, cleansed from all their silth, with warm water or spirit of Vinegar, and dryed in the Sun: lay these shells upon 6 or 8 Tiles, made in the form of a half Circle, of such a proportion, as that two of them joyned together may fill the inward round of a Rever∣beratory Furnace, leaving the space of an Inch empty be∣tween the sides of the Furnace, and the said Tiles, to give the Fire play round about, and betwixt the said Tiles: there must also be in two or three places of their circumference an inlet or brim of an Inch deep, to let the flame in to calcine the matter: place two of these Tiles upon the Iron Bars of the Furnace, and up∣on them place 3 or 4 other lays of Tiles, one upon another, with Oyster shells upon them, so that half a foot be left emp∣ty of the top of the Furnace, which cover with an earthen Pan, turned upside down, or a Cupulo fitted to the Furnace. Give a great fire at first with Wood and Coals, and when it is come to the highest degree, continue it 12 hours, so will the flame, passing upon the shells calcine them, and make them a calx as white as snow, and so brittle as to fall into pouder by touching them. This Calx is very salt, and yeelds its Salt in good quantity, by dissolution in water, filtra∣tion and evaporation of the Lixivium till it is dry.

§ 1. Here is to be noted,

that the shells ought to be cleansed from their mucila∣ginousness, either by washing them in warm water, or by letting them soak 12 or 14 hours in Spirit of Vinegar, because otherwise that filth would spoil the beauty of the Calx. § 2. This Calx is composed of two substances, viz. of white virginal Earth, and a good quantity of Salt, both fixed and Volatile, by means whereof the said shells are naturally heavy. § 3. We take the upper Oyster-shell, because that is whiter, pu∣rer, thinner, and more easy to Calcine. § 4. The Vir∣tues of this Calx and its Salt are eminent against the Stone and Gravel, being very opening and penetrating; the Calx is very drying by rea∣son of its Earth; The Dose of the Calx is à ℈j. ad ʒss. but of the Salt à gr. x. ad ℈j. in some Conserve, Preserve, or Syrup. § 5. After the same manner you may make the Calx of Egg-shells: Or, Take a good quantity of clean Egg shells, bruised to∣pieces, fill an unglazed Earth∣en Pot with them, which set in a Potters Furnace, for nine days, so will the Calx be white as Snow.

17. Sal Jovis, Salt of Tin.

℞ Magistery of Tin, q. v. put upon it Spirit of Vinegar three Inches over it, digest in a sand heat for three days; stirring it 5 or 6 times every day: then decant the Liquor and add new spirit to the re∣mainder; digest as before, and decant; repeating the affusion of New Spirit, till the whole Magistery is dis∣solved: silter all these im∣pregnations, and evaporate the spirit in a glass Cucurbit, over a sand heat, to the con∣sumption of ¾. then in a Cel∣lar set it to Crystalize, which separate from the Liquor: e∣vaporate part of the liquor again, and then set it to Cry∣stalize as before; continuing this work till all the Salt is drawn forth, which dry upon Paper in the Sun, and keep it in a glass close stopt.

§ 1. This salt is nothing more but the acids of the Vinegar, imbodied with the particles of the Tin; for the

Acids being taken away, the Tin will easily revive again, as we have taught in Saccha∣rum Saturni, Sect. 1. § 13. above. § 2. That if you are not curious to have the Crystals, you may have a Salt as good as the former, by a gentle evaporation of the Spirit. § 3. That Tin calcin'd howsoever, will ne∣ver dissolve, unless it be first reduced or sublimed into flowers. § 4. That this Salt may be converted into a Magistery again, by dissol∣ving it in Spirit of Vinegar, and then precipitating it with Oyl of Tartar, per deliqui∣um. § 5. That this Salt is drying and good against Scabs, Tettars, and Ring∣worms, having much the Virtues of the salt of Saturn: some also say, it is a most powerful thing against fits of Mother. Dose à gr. iij. ad vi. in Wine.

18. Sal Tarta••i Emeticum ex vitro Antimonij; Eme∣metick Tartar from Glass of Antimony.

℞ Crystals of Tartar in pouder ℥vj. put upon it in a glass vessel so much spirit of Ʋrine, as to cover it two or three inches thick; the Cream of Tartar being dissolved, put thereto Vitrum Antimonij levigated ℥jss. fair water ℥xv. boyl all in a sand Furnace 8 hours, putting more hot wa∣ter into the vessel as it con∣sumes, then filtrate, and eva∣porate gently in Sand all the humidity, so will a greyish white pouder remain, which keep in a Vial close stopt. Or thus, from LeFebure. ℞ Le∣vigated pouder of glass of Antimony, Crystal of Tartar, A. ℥iiij. put them into a glass Cucurbit in sand, to which put ℥iiij. of distilled Rain Water, boyl and evapo∣rate to dryness: dissolve the matter again in a sufficient quantity of the same water, filterate the dissolution to se∣parate the Antimonial pou∣der, then evaporate the filtra∣ted liquor to a Salt, on which put guttatim good Spirit of Vitriol, till there is no more ebulition or noise, then eva∣porate all the superfluous hu∣midity, so have you a pure Salt of a pleasant tast.

§ 1. It is good in Lethar∣gues,

Apopleties, Epilepsies, Ravings, and all other Di∣seases of the Brain. It cures Diseases of the Stomach, Vo∣miting, Jaundice, Dropsies, Quotidian, Tertian and Quartan Agues, expels poy∣son, and the like. § 2. The former of them may be gi∣ven from four grains to fif∣teen in Broth: the latter from gr. x. ad ʒss. being a Remedy which cannot be suf∣ficiently praised, you may give it in Broth, or other convenient Vehicle, it works chiefly by Stool and Urine, but sometimes provokes Vo∣miting, when it meets with a stomach stufft with slime and viscosity. § 3. In the former some part of the glass of Antimony dissolves in the boyling, and gives the Eme∣tick quality to the pouder, which is very gentle, because the Tartar has sixt a little the Sulphur of the Anti∣mony.

19. Sal Tartari Folia∣tum, Foliated Salt of Tar∣tar.

℞ Salt of Tartar q. v. put it into a large glass Cucur∣bit, and gently pour upon it as much spirit of Vinegar as the Salt can suck up, so that they may be saciated by each other, and no effervescency at all; by this the Work is done at once, and the salt of Tartar and acid of the Vinegar are perfectly united: some part of the humidity of the spirit evaporate by a gentle sand∣heat, so will you have a black substance at the bottom of the Glass. It being cold, dissolve it in good S.V. filter it through brown paper, and in a glass Cucurbit in a sand heat; eva∣porate the spirit till the re∣maining substance is dry; this dissolve in S. V. again, filterate and evaporate as be∣fore: this Work repeat till the salt is white, dry, and in distinct leaves at the bottom of the Vessel, which is the reason it is called foliated, or salt of Tartar in leaves.

§ 1. There are various ways of making this foliated Salt of Tartar, but this is accounted the best, the de∣sign being to faciate the sixt salt of Tartar with the acidi∣ty of the Vinegar, and by means of the S. V. to unite

them the more closely toge¦ther. § 2. This preparation differs little in nature and qualities from that of the sal Tartari Vitriolatum (where∣in the Salt is satiated with a more powerful acid) but on∣ly in the addition of the S.V. which is a most Vola∣tile Sulphur, and as the acids exceeding or over powring that spirit, is the cause of turning Wine into Vinegar; so the said Sulphur or S.V. qualifies (in this preparati∣on) the extream tartness of the acid of the Vinegar, by which the quality of the salt is changed, and a peculiar virtue is made manifest. § 3. This Salt seems to be of a mentral nature, between sixed and volatile, or neither of them: it is good to cleanse and purify the whole mass of blood, and to take away gent∣ly all Tartarous Humours, the causes of many Chronick and rebellious Diseases: it keeps the belly soluble, and purges by urine all the filth of the Reins, Ureters and Bladder. Dose à gr. v. ad. x. in Broth, or other proper Vehicle. § 4. This salt has power to penetrate and open several minerals, and to ex∣tract Tinctures, especially from Mars, by adding to it spirit of Wine, or some other Liquor, if you dissolve it in any Cordial water, you may Crystalize it according to the ordinary way. The leaves also being set in a damp Cel∣lar will dissolve in a kind of purple colored Liquor, of the same nature with the Salt, the which you may give à gut. vj. ad xij. or xjv, as aforesaid.

20. Sal Tartari Volatile, Volatile Salt of Tartar.

℞ Salt of Tartar, pure and very dry lbiij. or lbiiij. crude Roch Allum, or the Caput Mortuum of Roch Allum in pouder as much, put them into a large earthen Retort, well coated about; place it in a close furnace of Reverbera∣tion, and distil with a gradual fire, gently at first, but in∣creased at last to the highest degree of heat, so shall you have (when the Vessels are cold) in the Receiver a large quantity of Volatile salt of Tartar, whose scent and tast

will be very subtil and pene∣trating, with the spirituous water of the Alum mixed with it, which you may sepa∣rate by rectifying it the ordi∣nary way, so will you have the volatile Salt of Tartar in its purity and perfection. Or thus, Take Tartar calcin'd to blackness or somewhat more lbiij, put it into a great iron pot, upon which put fair water so much as to over-top it an inch or more; put the pot over a very gentle fire, which when the calcin'd Tartar is throughly inbodied, and be∣come luke-warm, strew by degrees upon it, crude Tar∣tar finely poudred M.j. so will an effervescence arise: con∣tinue to strew new powder of Tartar upon it by degrees, so will the sermentation in∣crease, and the bubbles grow greater and multiply, gathe∣ring themselves together, not much unlike clusters of grapes: in the Interim let not the fire exceed in heat, such as are commonly u∣sed for Fermentations, still strewing-in the Powder very finely, and not too much at a time, lest the Ebulition come over the sides of the Vessel: when you see the ebulition ceases, you must cease to strew in any more crude pouder of Tartar. Then put this Li∣quor into a Gourd of iron ve∣ry large and high, which co∣ver with its head and a reci∣pient, and lute well the jun∣ctures, and distil in a sand heat with a very gentle sire, chiefly at first, applying conti∣nually cold wet Cloths about the Gourd, to stop a little the b••yling of the matter, at last augment the fire, so will the volatile Salt ascend. The distilled liquor rectify again, as much as is fit for separa∣tion of the Salt, which you will have in whiteness and pu∣rity. Or thus; ℞ of the black distilled Oyl of Tartar lbj. fine Salt of Tartar lbij. mix them well together, and put them into a glass Retort, which stop extreamly close, and place it for six months over a Bakers Oven, or other∣like heat in sand, moderately hot: then open the mouth of the Retort and affix thereto a large Receiver well luted: put it into a sand heat with a gradual fire, so will a great

quantity of a Volatile Salt be drawn forth smelling like Ʋrine, White, Crystalline, and of a very penetrating scent, accompanied with a small quantity of the same Salt, which is found dissolv'd into liquor, mixed with a little Oyl, almost as subtil and penetrating as the oyl it self. Or thus, ℞ Lees of Wine dried in a gentle fire, put them into a large earthen or glass Retort, so as to fill it about two third parts full: put it into a Reverberatory Furnace, with a large Reci∣pient, make a small fire first to heat the Cornute by degrees that the insipid flegm may be drawn forth: when fumes or Vapors begin to arise, empty the flegm out of the Receiver, and put it to the beak of the Cornute again, luting it well: encrease the fire by degrees, till the Recipient is fill'd with white Clouds: continue the fire at that height, till the Re∣cipient begin to cool: then in∣crease the fire to the highest, which continue so long, till no more Vap••rs ascend. The Vessels being grown cold, un∣lute the Recipient, and shake it well about, to cause the Vo∣latile Salt which sticks to it, to fall to the bottom: then put all into a bolt head with a long neck, fitted with its head and a small Receiver, well lute the joynts, put it into a sand-heat with a little fire, so will the volatile Salt arise and stick to the head and top of the Bolt∣head: take off this Head, and apply another in its stead, gather your Salt, and close it up immediately, for it easily dissolves into Liquor: con∣tinue still the fire, and conti∣nually gather up the Salt, as you see it ascend. When no more will arise, you may distil a small quantity of a Liquor, and then put out the Fire, this Liquor is a volatile Salt joyned with some Flegm, and may be called volatile spirit of Tartar, having the same virtues with the salt, and may be given from eight drops to twenty four. Or thus, ℞ Wine Lees q. v. se∣parate by straining and ex∣pression the Wine joyned with them: of the Wine draw a most subtil, volatile and In∣flamable spirit, which reserve. The Magma remaining, dry

in the Sun or in a gentle sand heat: pouder it, and sprinkle it with the after-reserv'd spirit, or other well rectifi'd S.V. being moderately moist∣ned, let the whole Mass dry of it self, where you dryed it before: then fill with it two thirds of a large Retort of Potters Earth, place it in a large furnace of Reverberati∣tion, fitted and well luted to a large Recipient, then distil first with a gentle fire, increa∣sing it by degrees for about 12 hours, till the fire comes to the ut most violence. Af∣ter which, the Vessels being cold, unlute them, and you will have in the Receiver, the Volatile Salt of Tartar mix'd with the oily part, and much flegm. Empty both together into a large Matrass with a long neck, which place in a sand heat, which cover with its head well luted to a Recei∣ver; destill with a moderate fire, as in the Rectification of other Volatile Salts, so will you perceive the Volatile Salt of Tartar, ascending first, to stick to the inside of the head in a white and Crystalline form, which gather with what dexterity you can, that it may be purely separated fro the oily part, which will ascend nex to this volatile salt, with the flegm also, impregnated with some small portion of this said Salt. The rectified S.V. is not absolutely necessary in this work; but there is this in it, that by embracing some part of the acid of the Lees, and taking it along with it in its dissipation, if frees the Volatile Salt, whereby you will have it in greater quantity than other∣wise it could be got.

§ 1. Here is to be noted, That in the first way of ma∣king this Volatile Salt, with Allum or its Caput Mortu∣um, that the Acid contain'd in the Allum is so weak and inconsiderable, that the rea∣son of the said Salt's Volati∣zation cannot be attributed thereto, but rather to its fi∣xed part, which remains af∣ter distillation, which effect it produces without any parti∣cipation with the Acid: but suppose it should participate of some small portion of the Allum: (which we can yet prove it dos not) that mine∣ral Salt yields nothing of evil

in Distillation, and its spiri∣tuous water is beneficially u∣sed in Diseases of the mouth and throat. § 2. In the se∣cond way, the Volatization is made by a natural fermen∣ration, caused by mixing the fixed Salt of Tartar with raw Tartar, because 'tis thought that this fermentation, makes so perfect a division of the parts, of both the calcin'd and crude matters, that af∣ter distillation, there is not to be found at all any Salt either fixed or volatile. § 3. In the Third way, where the Distil∣led oyl of Tartar is used, this is apparent, that al∣though the said oil contains much of the Volatile Salt, as do several other Oyls; yet our Volatile Salt of Tartar proceeds not from it; but that the greatest part of it proceeds from the Salt of Tartar it self: The Reason is, because the Volatile Salt as∣cends in very great quantity, viz. much more than you put in Oyl; and also because there remains only an oily Coal (as faeces) weighing ve∣ry much less than the Salt of Tartar made use of. The rea∣son of this may be from the long digestion, by which the smallest particles of both substances are opened and di∣vided, thereby disordering them, and giving them a new Scituation, whereby fixed Salt, quitting its Chains, im∣mediately becomes Volatile, and manifests it self with all its qualities. This arises from the secret sermentation of the Volatile Salt in the Oyl of Tartar, with the Acid of the fixt Salt, converting it in some measure into its own proper substance, whereby there is a change of figure and Scituation in the parts, as aforesaid: and thereby a vo∣latization of the Salts, both alcalious and acid. § 4. The Fourth and fifth ways disle∣rent much one from the o∣ther, save in the Addition of the Spirit of Wine: Here the acid substance of the juyce of the Grape unites it self with a great part of the Volatile Salt, to make the Composition of the Tartar, whence 'tis that Tartar yields not so much Volatile Salt as the Lees at the bottom of the cask, which mightily abounds

in a volatile Salt, and a sul∣phurous Spirit: Hence it is that the Volatile Salt of Tar∣tar is more easily and plenti∣fully drawn from the Lees, than from the more solid and stony Tartar. § 5. This volatile Salt, is said to puri∣fy the whole Mass of Blood both by sweat and urine, and sometimes by stool, whereby a Mass of putrefactive hu∣mors and matter are carried off: It is good against the Palsy, Apoplexy, Epilepsie, and all intermitting Feavers, chiefly the Tertian and Quar∣tan. It opens all sorts of Ob∣structions of Liver, Spleen and Gall: cures Cachexies, Dropsies, Jaundice, Scurvy and other stubborn Diseases. Dose à gr. x. ad ℈j. in a sit Liquor or Conserve.